By CHIDINMA EWUNONU-ALUKO

An Iyaganku Magistrates? Court in Ibadan on Friday ordered the remand of nine accused persons in a correctional facility over alleged murder of a minor.

The defendants, who were charged with conspiracy, murder and arson are: 19-year-old Sunday Moses, Lukuman Aremu, 23, and Rasheed Abdulahi, 20.

Others are: Abioye Ojo, 21, Kazeem Olayiwola, 40, Oladipupo Abass, 34, Abdulrahnan Isiaka, 21, Lukman Awujoola, 23 and Adelowo Ojo (adult).

The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

She, therefore adjourned the case until May 20 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Olagoke Adegbenro, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 16, at Ikoyi-Ile, Oyo State.

He alleged that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of seven-year-old Burirat Hamzat, by stabbing her with a knife.

He said the defendants also unlawfully set fire to houses belonging to Muhammed Useni, Usman Abubakar, and Abdulahi Abubakar.

Adegbenro said the burnt houses were valued at N150 million.

He said the offences contravened Sections 516, 319 and 443 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)